Conveyer



July 15,1941. A, WADDLE 2,249,588

CONVEYEB Filed March 7, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l.

INVENTOR Geo/ass 14. V/m 4s ATTORN 5Y5 July 15, 1941- G. A. WADDLE CONVEYER Filed March '7, 1940 2 Sheets-Shed: 2

INVENTOR S Y A T W/ V M E m 6 Patentecl July 15, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT ore-ice $249,588 CONVEYER George A.Waddle, Akron, Ohio .ApplicationMarch r, 1940.:SeriabN'o. 322331 s Claims. (01. '19s i204) This invention relates to-conveyer-s and more particularly to conveyer units which will permit the rapid and economical installation of a conveyer system.

Heretofore, a conveyer system employing endless belts or chainsas theconveying-elementhas required an elaborate system of stringers and bents to supportthe conveyer idler stands in true alignment and with the required rigidity. When such conveyer systems are used to convey materials for long distances, and especially when used over rough terrain, elaborate and expensive .trestles have been required heretofore. The installation and maintenance expenses of such trestles have been so great as to-prevent the use i of .conveyers in many situations Where conveyors would have been used otherwise, as for example, where it would be desirable to install a conveyer system over navigable streams.

It is an object of this invention to provide a plurality of self-contained units comprising conveyer idler stands .in a supporting and enclosing conduit, said units being adapted tobe -joined-'to form a complete substantially self-supporting conveyer line. tionthat-a conveyer system'may be installed over extremely rough terrain or across navigable water with-a minimum installation expense and with. a minimum of preliminary grading and foundation expense but with assured alignment of the idler stands.

.Another object and-advantage of thisinvention is to provide a conveyer system which may be used without danger of interruption of service under stock piles, in mines, or across terrain whichrmay be subject to landslides or washouts. Another object and advantage of this invention is :to provide a conveyor system which'may be operated under adverse weather conditions. i

A further object of this invention is to provide a conveyer system which requires a minimum of maintenance, and which will eliminate the depredation and theft hazard encountered heretofore on an unpatrolled line over lender in post-ofilces. A further object of this-invention is to provide a conveyer system which may be readily and safely used in overhead installation. A still further object of this invention is to provide a conveyer system which may be used to convey materials which give ofi noxious gases or gases which tend tol-attack the material of which the-conveyerelements are composed.

Other and further objects and advantages of this invention will'be apparent from the following specification, claimsjand drawings in which: 5

It is anadvantage of this inven- Fig. l -is a cross-section taken along the line -|l of Fig 2;

Fig. 2 is an elevation illustrating a preferred form of this invention;

Fig. .3 is a. detailed fragmentary view taken from 'FigPZIandshoWing a portion of the conveyer conduit broken away;

Fig. :4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a modified form of this invention.

ilnthedrawingsgin which like reference characters refer to :likeparts, '10 represents a length of tubular conduit, preferably of relatively light gangesheetsteel. The conduit l fl maybe fabricat'ed .irom plain or corrugated strip steel, -although vany :other material may be used to form the .conduit to, .such as, :for example, cast reinforced concrete, vitreous pipe, cast iron,or similar materials. In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, a load band ill encircles theconduit l0 and is welded or otherwiseise'cured thereto in order to distribute over :the circumference of :the conduit '10 Ztheload carried .by the enclosed idler roller stand :20.

The idler iroller stand :21] is comprised of a cross-beam 21 designed to carry a tension as well as atransverse load. 'The-cross-beam 21 is bolted to the I-loadband .H and extends across the'horizontal diameter of the conduit Iii]. A .pair of brackets 22 and23 are bolted -to the cross-beam 2|. The bracket 22 carries an'integral trunnion 2-4 bolted'to'the load band I I, andthe bracket 2-3 likewise carries a trunnion 25 bolted tolthe iload band H. Each of the trunnions 24 and.25 carries a troughin'g idler roller '26 and 2-7, respectively. Acenter horizontal'idler'roller 28 is hung on the brackets 22-.and 23 betweenlthe troughing rollers 26 and 21 to form a three roll idler stand. As shown inFig. 1, the axes of the trunnions 24 and 25 are preferably-radial, intersecting at the center of conduit I9. ,As shown in Fig. 3, the axes .of the trunnions 24 and 25 are also slightly skewed with respect to the axis of the center rolleri28 theedirection of travel of the conveyer belt'3fl in order to reduce to a minimum the wear of the belt '30fon the idler stand.

"Thebelt30, of course, carries the material to be transported by theconveyer system, and .is preferably a conventional endless rubber belt. To-

support the return portion of the belt 30, a return idler roller 3! is hung in the depending brackets 32 and 33 which, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, are preferably integral with the crossbeam 2l. Where the loads carried by the 'belt 30, and consequently by each idler stand 20 in a conveyer system,'are exceptionally heavy,-the return idler roller 3i may be omitted from, for example, alternate idler stands where support for the return portion of the belt 30 would be unnecessary. In the preferred form of this invention, all of the idler rollers are provided with sealed bearings containing sufficient lubrication for the life of the roller.

As shown in Fig. 2, two idler stands 20 are bolted to the conduit section Ill. The number of idler stands in each conduit section, of course, may be varied depending upon the load to be carried and the length of conduit section which may be conveniently handled. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, an inspection Window 12 is provided adjacent each load band II. In order to prevent the inspection opening from unduly weakening the conduit H3, a relatively heavy frame I3 is Welded to the conduit 10, and the inspection window frame I4 is bolted to the opening frame [3.

To permit ready inspection of the condition of the idler stands 25), a light bulb I5 is, located adjacent the idler stand, the wiring It for the bulb i5 being conveniently supported by the crossbeam 2|. For inspection and maintenance purposes, the conduit Ill may also be provided with a telephone line l9 into which an inspector may plug a telephone.

Piping I1 is preferably located within the conduit Ill and may be conveniently supported by the cross-beam it. When the conveyer system is operating under freezing conditions which would normally prevent the operation of the conveyer due to unwieldability of the load and excessive wear onthe belt and idlers, steam may be circulated through the piping I! in order to maintainthe atmosphere within the conduit ID at an optimum operating temperature. Similarly, when the load or weather conditions are excessively hot, cooling brine may be circulated through the piping H.

In order to allow for the cleaning out of spillage which will collect in the space below the return idler roller 3|, a manhole I8 is provided ad-' jacent the lower portion of the conduit Ill. The manhole l8 also permits the removal of an idler stand 23 for inspection and repair. In order to remove an idler stand from the conduit ID, the idler stand is simply unbolted from the load band II, the return idler roller 3| is removed from the brackets 32 and 33 and the disassembled portions of the stand are removed through themanhole l8. V The embodiment of this invention shown in Fig. 2 is adapted to be ventilated so that materials giving off noxious gases may be conveyed. The intake of ventilating air into the conduit vIll is permitted by the intake port 35 which may be suitably protected by the vent cap 36. Air may be exhausted through the exhaust port 31 which may be conveniently located in the cover of the manhole l8 and connected by theexhaust line 38 to the exhaust main 39. By suitably staggering the intake and exhaust ports 35 and 31, the conduit may be suitably ventilated. Of course, the ventilating system for the conveyer system may be closed by connecting the intake ports 35 to an intake main. Thus, the conveyer may run in a reducing atmosphere or may be ventilated while running under water, if desirable. If the conveyer system is to be used in a per,- rnanent or semi-permanent installation, the conveyer system is preferably installed by welding conduit sections ill together to form a permanent joint 49. If the installation is to be more or less temporary, the several conduit sections in may be provided with flanges or bell and spigot terminals and bolted together. With the several conduit sections H] united as shown in Fig. 2, a minimum of foundation installations and maintenance is required. The inherent torsion and beam strength of conduit I0 is materially increased by the idler stands 20. When the conduit i0 is under a beam load, it tends to deform in section by increasing in diameter along its horizontal diameter. This tendency is counteracted by the tension which a load on the idle! stand places upon the trunnion and cross-beam.

bolts. Thus, the tendency of the conduit ID to deflect under load is counteracted by the load on the idler stands. This effect of the load upon the idler stands to maintain the sections of the conduit constant similarly increases the conduits inherent strength in torsion.

With a plurality of units joined as shown in' Fig. 2, a conveyer system may be quickly and economically installed. Because such a conveyer system is substantially self-supporting, the foundationsneed be no more than amply spaced piers where necessary, and thus the elaborate and continuous trestles used heretofore may be eliminated, especially where the conveyer system must cross small washes and gulches in rough terrain. Because the joined units are substantially water-tight, the joined units may be sub.- merged to carry the conveyer across navigable rivers. Because of the protection afforded by the conduit ID, the joined units will protect the conveyer belt in mines, stock piles, and where the service is subject to interruption due to landslides and floods. Also, the conduits l0 eliminate theft and depredation hazards in post-offices and on unpatrolled lines.

This invention, obviously, is not limited to the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3. For example, as shown in Fig. 4, the conduit length may be comprised of an upper half-section and a mating lower half-section 5| secured together by the bolts 53. In the embodiment disclosed in Fig. 4, the idler stand iscomprised of a crossbeam 56 bolted to the lower half-section 5|. A three-roll idler stand comprised of trunnions 51 and 58, trough rollers 59 and 60 carried thereby, and a center roller 6| hung therebetween is supported by the cross-beam 56. The portion of rthe conveyer'. belt which carries the material to be, conveyed, is supported by the. three-roll idler stand. The return portion of the belt is supportedby the return idler roller 66 which is hungin the brackets 61 and 68 which depend below the cross-beam 56. In this embodiment the section of the conduit is maintained substantially constant under load by the tension load of the cross-beam 56 on the bolts securing the cross-beam ,in the half-section 5|, and by the tension load on the radially disposed I-members 10 secured in the half-section 5B.

The embodiment disclosed in Fig. 4 is especially adapted to overhead suspension. If installed as an overhead conveyer system, only the upper half section 50 need be articulated. The conduit may then be opened for inspection and repair, after th idler stands have been unbolted, by simply remov ng the bolts 53 on one side and hinging the lower half-section on the bolts on the other side. Of course, if the embodiment disclosed in Fig. 4 is supported on piers, only the seyeral lowerhalf-sections 5| are joined so that individual upper half-sections 50 may be hinged open for'inspection and re air; The em bodimentdisclosed is particularly adapted: for conveyer systems where it may be nece'ssary td convey bulky objects which may extendab'o've' the trough" line oitheconveyer belt, as, for-example, packages in post-offices and large lumps of coal inmines. 1

This invention,. therefore, is not-limited to the-embodiments disclosed, either in whole or inpart, but inasmuch as it may be modified and adapted to meet particular. conditions, it is -lim'-' itedonly by the" followingiclaims. 1

What is claimed is:

13 In a conveyer system, a unit adapted to be joined with similar units to comprise a con veyer system, said unit comprising a conduit having. a. tubular section, a cross-beam remov ably secured to said conduit and enclosed there-- in, a trunnion supported by said cross-beam, an idler roller carried by said trunnion and a re turn idler roller supported in said conduit, and an endless conveyer supported by said idler roller and said return idler roller. v

2. In a conveyer system, a unit adapted to be joined with similar units to comprise a conveyer system, said unit comprising a conduit having a tubular section, a cross-beam removably secured to said conduit and enclosed therein, an. idler. roller supported by said cross-beam, and a return:

'id-ler roller supported in said conduit, and an endless conveyer supported by said idler roller and said return idler roller.

3. In a conveyer system, a unit adapted to be joined with similar units to comprise a conveyer system, said unit comprising a conduit having a tubular section, a cross-beam removably secured to said conduit and enclosed therein, a trunnion supported by said cross-beam, an idler roller carried by said trunnion and a return idler roller suspended from said cross-beam, and an endless conveyer supported by said idler roller and said return idler roller, whereby the transverse stresses in said cross-beam tend to counteract the tendency of said conduit to deflect under a transverse load.

4. In a conveyer system, a unit adapted to be joined with similar units to comprise a conveyer system, said unit comprising a, conduit having a tubular section, a cross-beam removably secured to said conduit and enclosed therein, an idler roller supported by said cross-beam and a return idler roller suspended from said crossbeam, and an endless conveyer supported by said idler roller and said return idler roller, whereby the transverse stresses in said cross-beam tend to counteract the tendency of said conduit to deflect under a transverse load.

5. In a conveyer system, a plurality of joined conveyer supporting units, each of said units comprising a length of conduit having a tubular section, an idler roller stand within said length of conduit, means for removably securing said stand in said length of conduit in alignment with idler roller stands in adjacent conveyer supporting units, and an endless conveyer supported by said idler roller stands in said plurality of joined conveyer supporting units.

6. In a conveyer system, a plurality of joined conveyer supporting units, each of said units comprising a length of conduit having a tubular section, an idler roller stand Within said length of conduit, means for removably securing said stand in said length of conduit in alignment with idler roller stands in adjacent conveyer supporting units, means affording access to the interior of? said conduit whereby said. stand: may: be remoyed 'from: said conduit, and anendlessconveyer supported-bysaid idler roller stands in saidiplu rality off joined conve'yer' supporting: units.-

' 7. In a conveyer system, a plurality of joined conveyer supporting-units", each of said units comprising .a' length of conduit having a tubular section, an idler roller standiwithinsaidlength of conduit, means for removablysecuring saidstand insaidl length of. conduit in alignment with idler roller stands in. adjacent conveyer supporting units, means affording access to the interior of said. conduituwhereby-said stand may be removed from said: conduit, an: endless conveyer-supported by' said idler roller 'stands in said plurality of joined conveyer supporting units and means in saidhconduit adjacent said stand permitting visual inspection-of' said stand. Selma conveyersystem, a plurality of joined conveyer: supporting units,-v eacnoi saidunits comprising a length of=conduithaving a tubular of said: conduit' whereby said stand may be removed from said conduit, an endless conveyer supported by said idler roller-stands in said plurality of joined conveyer supporting units, and means for maintaining the, atmosphere; within said units at a temperature different. from the temperature of ,thevatmosphere surrounding: said units.

, 9; In a conveyer systenua plurality of joined conveyer supporting units, each of said units comprising a length of conduit having a tubular section, an idler roller stand within said length of conduit, means for removably securing said stand in said length of conduit in alignment with idler roller stands in adjacent conveyer supporting units, means affording access to the interior of said conduit whereby said stand may be removed from said conduit, an endless conveyer supported by said idler roller stands in said plurality of joined conveyer supporting units, and means for ventilating said joined units.

10. In a conveyer system, a plurality of joined conveyer supporting units, each of said units comprising a length of conduit having a tubular section, an idler roller stand within said length of conduit, means for removably securing said stand in said length of conduit in alignment with idler roller stands in adjacent conveyer supporting units, means affording access to the interior of said conduit whereby said stand may be removed from said conduit, an endless conveyer supported by said idler roller stands in said plurality of joined conveyer supporting units, means for maintaining the atmosphere within said units at a temperature different from the temperature of the atmosphere surrounding said units, and means for ventilating said joined units.

11. In a conveyer system, a unit adapted to be joined with similar units to comprise a conveyer system, said unit comprising a conduit having a tubular section, a cross-beam removably secured to said conduit, a pair of trunnions carried by said cross-beam, eachof said trunnions being secured to said conduit, idler rollers mounted on said trunnions, a return idler roller removably supported by said cross-beam below said trunnions, and an endless conveyer supported by said idler rollers and said return idler roller.

- l2. Ina conveyer system, .a unit adapted to be joined with similar units to comprises. conveyer system; said unit-comprising a conduithaving a tubularsection, means supportingan idler roller transversely of said conduit, meanssupporting a return idlerroller transversely ofsaid conduit, and an endlessconveyer supported by said idler roller andsaid return idler roller. 7

13.. In a, conveyer system, a plurality of joined conveyeiy supporting units, each of said units comprising a length of tubular conduit comprised of, anupper section andv a lower section, means for removably securing said upper and lower. sections to each, other, anidler roller stand removably secured within vsaid lower section, whereby said idler roller stand and said lower section reinforce each other against deformation under load, and an endless conveyer supported by said idler stands in said joined conveyer units.

14, In aconveyer system, a plurality of joined conveyer supporting units, each of said units comprising a length of tubular conduit comprised of an upper section .anda lower section, means for removably securing said upper and lower sections to each other, an idler roller stand removably secured within said lower section, whereby said idler roller stand and said lower section reinforce eachother against deformation under load, and an endless conveyer supported by said idler stands in said joined conveyer units, said upper section of said unit being removable from said lower section to permit inspection and repair of said idler roller stand secured within said lower section.

15. In a conveyer system, a plurality of joined conveyer supporting units, each of said units com= prising alength of tubular conduit comprisedof an upper section and a lowersection, means for removably securing said upper and lower sections to .each ,.other,.means .for. supporting said unit mounted on said upper .section, an idler roller stand removably secured within said lower section,whereby said idler roller stand and said lower section reinforce each other against deformation under load, and an endless conveyer supported by saididler stands in said joined conveyer units, said lower section-being removable from said upper section to permit inspection and repair of said idler roller stand secured within said unit. V

16. In a conveyer system, a plurality of joined conveyer, supporting units, each of said units comprisinga length of tubular conduit comprised of an upper section and a lower section, means for removably securing said upper and lower sections to each other, an idler roller stand removably secured within said lower section, whereby said idler roller stand and said lower section reinforce each other against deformation under load, and an endless conveyer supported by said idler stands in said joined conveyer units, said idler roller stand comprising a cross-beam, an idler roller carried .by said cross-beam, and a returnidler roller removably supported by said cross-beam to permit said idlerroller stand to be removed from said unit without disconnecting said endless conveyer supported by idler roller stands in adjacent units.

- GEORGE A. WADDLE. 

